Process for resolving petroleum emulsions



Patented Dec. 24,1940

PROCESS F R RESOLVING PETROLEUM EMULSIONS Melvin De Groote, University City, and Bernhard Keiser, Webster Groves, and Arthur F. Wirtel, Kirkwood, Mo., assignors to Petrolite Corporation, Ltd., Wilmington,

Delaware No Drawing. Original Serial No. 273,220. tion October 23, 1939,

' 9 Claims.

This invention relates to materials, compounds, and compositions of matter of the kind that are used to treat emulsions of mineral oil and water, such as petroleum emulsions, for the purpose of separating the oil from the water, the present application being a division of our pending application Serial No. 273,220, filed May 12, 1939.

One object of our invention is to provide a new 10 material or composition of.matt er that is particularly adapted for resolving petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, that are commonly referred to as cut oil, roily oil, emulsified oil, etc., and which comprise fine droplets of naturally-occurring waters or bn'nes dispersed in a more or less permanent state throughout the oil which constitutes the continuous phase of the emulsion.

Another object of our invention is to provide a method by which said new material or composition of matter can be manufactured readily and economically.

The treating agent or demulsifier employed in the present process is a new composition of matter consisting of a certain kind of ester or condensation product or polymerization product, derived by reaction between a polybasic carboxy acid, or its obvious functional equivalent, such as phthalic anhydride, and an acylated tertiary methylene diamine. The diamine that is employed is of the kind characterized by the presence of at least one oxy-acyl radical derived from a detergent-forming monocarboxy acid linked to an amino nitrogen atom by a hydrocarbon radical, or its obvious functional equivalent, such as a hydrocarbon radical, interrupted at least once by an oxygen atom: said acylated tertiary methylene diamine being additionally characterized by having at least one alcoholic hydroxyl radical.

As to comparable compositions of matter, in which the diamine does not contain as an integral part of the molecule, an oxy-acyl radical derived from a detergent-forming acid, but characterized by the fact that the polybasic acid is joined directly or through a suitable intermediate to a detergent-forming acid, reference is made to the co-pending application for patent, Serial No. 273,223, flied May 12, 1939, by Melvin De Groote and Bernhard Keiser, said co-pending application also contemplating the use of the therein described compositions of matter as demulsifiers for oil field emulsions.

It is well known that certain monocarboxy organic acids, containing approximately 8 carbon atoms or more, and not more than 32 carbon Del., a corporation of application May 12, 1939,

Divided and this applica- Serial No. 300,842

atoms, are characterized by the fact that they combine with alkalies to produce soap or soaplike materials. These detergent-forming acids include fatty acids, resin acids, petroleum. (naphthenic) acids, etc. For the sake of convenience, these acids will be indicated by the formula R..COOH.

It is also well known that diamines, and particularly those having pronounced basic properties, may be derived by various means, provided that the resultant diamine is characterized by the fact that the two amino nitrogen atoms are not attached to the same carbon atom. Such diamines, generally referred to as alkylene diamines, are well known and may be characterized by ethylene diamine. The present invention does not contemplate the use of diamines of this type. Derivatives of the diamines herein con-a templated are characterized by being a methylene diamine derivative, 1. e., a derivative of the hypothetical methylene diamine 4 H\ H 1: /'N('}N\ n n H Methylene diamine is almost unknown for practical purposes, since it is very unstable in the form of a free base, but does exist in the form 01' alkylated or acylated derivatives. In view of this fact, it becomes obvious that the new chemical compound or composition of matter previously referred to must necessarily be obtained indirectly, insofar that the parent diamine is almost non-existent. a v

It is well known that a large number of secondary amines are available which may be designated by the formula type BI! r, I in which 3' represents an alkyl, aralkvl,- alicyclic, aryl, alkylol, aralkylol, lmdroxy alicyclic, heterocyclic, or other equivalent radical; and B '1 an alkylol, aralkylol, hydroxy alicyclic, or similar radical. .Similarly, the formula represents a secondary amine, in which a hydroxy hydrocarbon radical may or may not be present as a substituent for an amino hydrogen 7 atom.

It is well known that aldehydes, particularly the aldehydes of relatively low molecular weight, such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, aldol, furfural, benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, hexahydro-benzaldehyde, etc., can combine with two moles of a secondary amine, so as to yield a methylene diamine, characterized .by the fact that the two amino nitrogen atoms are attached to the same carbon atom. Such reaction may be indicated in the following manner:

B! BI! The amine so produced may be indicated by the following formula:

in which, T may represent a hydrogen atom derived from formaldehyde, or may represent a radical derived from acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, heptaldehyde, lauric aldehyde, palmitic aldehyde, or stearic aldehyde, etc. Naturally, B" may occur more than once, and B less than three times. Similarly, instead of aliphatic aldehydes, one may employ heterocyclic aldehydes, such as furfuraldehyde, or aromatic aldehydes, such as benzaldehyde, or an aralkyl aldehyde, such as phenylacetaldehyde. One may also employ alicyclic aldehydes, such as hexahydro-benzaldehyde. Unsaturated aldehydes, such as acrolein, crotonaldehyde, or tiglic aldehyde, may be employed. As previously indicated, B may represent radicals, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl, hexadecyl, octadecyl, or similar radicals. Similarly, B may represent an aralkyl radical, such as a benzyl radical, ethyl benzyl radical, dimethyl benzyl radical, an alicyclic radical, such as the cyclohexyl, methyl cyclohexyl, etc. likewise, B, as well as B", may represent the radicals hydroxyl ethyl, hydroxy propyl, hydroxy butyl, and other similar radicals, including a CsH4C2I-I4OH radical, or, a GeHroOH radical.

Other radicals include the furfural radical, or hydroxy derivatives thereof. Piperidine may be considered as'a special adaptation, in which one radical replaces two amino hydrogen atoms. As previously indicated, B may be selected from any of the type of radicals above mentioned; whereas, B" is limited to those radicals in which there is an alcoholic hydroxy group present, such as an alkylol radical, etc.

It is to be noted that the methylene diamine, expressed by the above formula, is a tertiary diamine in the sense that neither amino nitrogen atom has attached thereto a replaceable hydrogen atom. For convenience, the above formula may be rewritten as follows, so as to indicate that there is present an alcoholic hydroxyl radical:

B! T n n on in which B"'OH is obviously the monovalent hydroxy hydrocarbon radical, such as an alkylol radical or the like. It is well known that amines, particularly non-aryl, such as triethanolamine or the like, can be acylated by reaction with fatty acids, or a suitable functional derivative thereof, such as the acyl chloride, or the anhydride, or even the ester. If the tertiary hydroxy methylene diamine of the kind just described is reacted with a detergent-forming monobasic carboxy acid, the reaction may be indicated in the following manner:

with the formation of an intermediate ester, which may be indicated in the following manner:

Such intermediate ester can only react with polybasic acids, such as phthalic anhydride, provided that there is present at least one alcoholic hydroxyl radical. In order to indicate the various forms of such hydroxylated intermediate ester, attention is directed to the following facts: the'hydroxyl radical may be present as part of the radical derived from the detergent-forming monobasic carboxy acid; for instance, if ricinoleic acid, diricinoleic acid, hydroxy-stearic acid, dihydroxy stearic acid, chlorinated ricinoleic acid, or the like had been employed, then there would be present an alcoholic hydroxyl radical, and the above formula might be rewritten as follows:

Similarly, there might be present, prior to reaction with the detergent-forming monocarboxy acid or its equivalent, more than one hydroxy hydrocarbon radical. For instance, the composition might be indicated thus fact, might contain an even greater number if, instead of using the secondary amine, such as diethanolamine, dipropanolamine, dibutanolamine, etc., one employed ethanolglycerylamine, propyl glycerylamine, or diglyoerylamine. Amines derived from diglycerol instead of glycerol would furnish radicals containing three hydroxyls, even after attachment to the aminonitrogen atom. Similarly, the detergent-form ing monocarboxy acid radical might be derived from hydroxystearic acid, and thus furnish as many as eight alcoholic hydroxyl radicals. If, in all instances, B and B' are derived from diglycerylamine, there would be present at least twelve hydroxyls, and there might be present at least one more, if aldol or a higher homologue were employed as a reactant in formation of the intermediate ester.

In' addition to aldol, other similar hydroxy aldehydes or aldehyde-alcohols may be employed. As to such aldehydes other than aldol, reference is made to Richters Organic Chemistry (Allott). volume 1, 'third English edition, 1934, pages 389-391.

In view of what has been said previously, it does not appear necessary to enumerate various suitable amines which may be employed, but it may be well to indicate that among those which may be employed are the following: diethanolamine, dipropanolamine, dibutanolamine, dioctanolamine, dipentanolamine, glyceryl hexanolamine, methyl glycerylamine, ethyl glycerylamine, propyl glycerylamine, cyclohexyl glycerylamine, benzyl glycerylamine; dibenzylamine, ethyl benzylamine, methyl benzylamine, propyl benzylamine, phenylmonoethanolamine, naphthylmonoethanolamine, cyclohexyl ethylamine, cyclohexyl propylamine, cyclohexyl hexylamine, diethylamine, dipropylamine, .diamylamine, dihexylamine, dioctylamine, diglycerylamlne, etc. In all the previous examples each radical indicates a substituent for an amino hydrogen atom. Similarly, amines canbe obtained from polyglycerols or polyglycols, as, for instance, the secondary amines, indicated by the following formulas:

Such amines may serve as functional equivalents of the previously described amines, which happen to be free from an ether linkage. Likewise one may have amines in which there is more than one ether linkage, i. e., in which the hydrocarbon radical which replaces an amino hydrogen atom has been interrupted more than once by an oxygen atom.

In examining the previous formulas, it becomes evident that if two different amines are employed, one of which does not contain a hydroxylated hydrocarbon radical, then the reaction is not limited to two dissimilar amines, but may take place in part in such a manner as to involve two similar amines, i. e., the aldehyde may react with two molecules of the hydroxylated amine; it may react with one mole of the hydroxylated amine and one mole of the non-hydroxylated amine: or

it may unite with two moles of the non-hydroxylated amine. In such event as last mentioned, the resultant compound is without value, unless a hydroxy aldehyde, such as aldol, has been employed. In such event, an attempt to esterify with a detergent-mono-carboxy acid results in and is, in fact, of value for the various purposes herein enumerated, but is not contemplated within the hereto attached claims. For practical purposes, then, it is most expedient to manufacture or produce a methylene diamine from a single kind of secondary amine; and in such event, obviously it must be a hydroxylated amine, such as diethanolamine. In subsequent examples, diethanolamine is employed as the secondary amine for reaction with the aldehyde; but in view of what has been said previously, various other secondary amines or mixtures thereof might be employed.

Attention is again directed to the fact that wherever a hydroxyl radical exists, and provided it is not necessary for subsequent reaction, then such hydroxyl radical could be reacted with .an acid, such as acetic acid, butyric acid, heptoic acid, etc.; and this statement applies to the hydroxyl radical of an alcohol aldehyde, such as aldol. Furthermore, an alkylol radical might be so combined as has been previously pointedout, or the alcohol radical or its equivalent might 'be combined with a monohydric alcohol. In essence, such combination simply results in the hydrocarbon chain interrupted at least once by an oxygen atom, as differentiated from an uninterrupted hydrocarbon chain. In the hereto appended claims reference to an alkyl alkylol or similar radical is intended specifically to include such examples where there is interruption of the chain or ring by an oxygen atom. All hydroxyl radicals present may be acylated except one, and if at least one of the acylating acids is a hydroxy acid, such as ricinoleic acid, then in that event, all hydroxyl radicals may be acylated.

The composition of matter used as the demulsifier in our process is obtained, as has been previously pointed out, by reaction between amines of the kind described, and polybasic acids or their obvious equivalent, such as the anhydrides or acyl chlorides or the like; and included among the various polybasic acids which ay be used are: phthalic, succinic, malic, fumaric, citric, maleic, adipic, tartaric, glutaric, diphenic, naphthalic, oxalic, chlorphthalic, nitroph-thalic, etc., some of which have three carboxyl radicals.

Having obtained the hydroxylated tertiary acylated methylene diamine of the kind previously described in an anhydrous state, reaction with the polybasic carboxy acid takes place rapidly and is nothing more than an esterification reaction comparable in nature to reactions between phthalic anhydride and glycerol, or ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, diglycerol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, or the like, all of which are well known. The conditions of reaction are substantially the same as employed in the types of reaction just enumerated.

Our preferred reagent is obtained in the following manner:

We react a readily available aldehyde, such as acetaldehyde or heptaldehyde, in the molecular proportions of one mole of aldehyde with two moles of diethanolamine. Such reaction is conducted in the manner previously noted; and after completion of reaction, any water still present which has not been removed previously in the course of reaction is removed by distillation, preferably under vacuum.

Such hydroxylated diamine is then treated in the proportion of three moles of diamine to two moles of castor oil, which consists essentially of triricinolein. Any suitable quantity of material may be employed, for instance, 500 lbs. of the selected anhydrous diamine and the appropriate amount of castor oil. The two products are mixed together and heated at a reasonable temperature above the boiling point of water and below the point of decomposition, for instance, at some temperature between 135-175 C. for a suitable period of time, i. e., 1 to 5 hours. The product so obtained is the acylated diamine mixed with some free glycerol and certain other accompanying cogeneric products.

Our preference is to conduct the esterification reaction in the same apparatus as employed for the alcoholysis reaction just referred to. In other words, having prepared the acylated diamine, we add a suitable quantity of phthalic anhydride. Generally speaking, our preference is to employ an equal weight, or preferably an excess, such as 50% more phthalic anhydride by weight, than the equivalent quantity of diethanolamine employed in preparing the diamine. Naturally, the amount of phthalic anhydride is dependent, in part, on whether or not a hydroxylated fatty acid, such as ricinoleic, was used for acylation.' The esterification reaction is conducted in the conventional manner until all free phthalic anhydride has disappeared. The product so obtained is suitable for use as a demulsifier for oil field emulsions.

The tertiary methylene diamine of the kind described may be considered, for the sake of simplicity, as being in the class of an alcohol, 1. e., a monohydric or polyhydric alcohol. Ii. an alcohol is indicated by the formula Y'(OH)1I, where 11. indicates the number one or more, and if a polybasic acid be indicated by the formula X'(COOH)n, where n indicates the number 2 or more, then the reactions between a monohydric alcohol and a polybasic acid will result in a. compound which may be indicated by the following formula: YX(COOH)1|', where n indicates the number one or more, nd which is, in reality, a contraction of a more elaborate structural formula, in which X! and Y are joined by a carboxyl radical or residue. Assuming, however, as would be true in the majority of cases, that the alcohol actually would be a polyhydric alcohol, then examination reveals that the formula might result in a combination, in which there were in which q indicates a small whole number (one in the case of a monomer and probably not over 20 and usually less than 10), and m and n indicate the number one or more, and m" and n" indicate a small or moderately-sized whole number, such as 0, 1 or more, but in any event, probably a number not in excess of 40; for instance, as would be indicated by a molecule which involved 10 to 15, or perhaps 20 moles of methylene diamine derived from aldol and diglycerylamine. Naturally, each residual hydroxyl could be combined with phthalic anhydride, so as to give at least one free carboxyl; or if combined with a -tribasic acid, such as citric acid, the number of free carboxyls might approach several hundred; for instance, 400 or 500 at least. Actually, the preferable type of reagent would be more apt to contain less than 20, and in fact, less than 10 free hydroxyl radicals. It is not necessary to remark that residual carboxyl radicals can be permitted to remain as such, or can be neutralized in any suitable manner, such as conversion into salts, esters, amides, amino esters, or any other suitable form. Usually, such conversion into salt form would be by means of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, amylamine, butanolamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, cyclohexanolamine, benzylamine, aniline, toluidine, etc. into 'the ester would be by means of a monohydric alcohol such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol, octyl alcohol, decyl' alcohol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, glycerol, diglycerol, triethylene glycol, or the like, or one might employ a hydroxylated fatty acid, such as ricinoleic acid, or its ester, such as ethyl ricinoleate or triricinolein as an alcohol, 1. e., in such a manner that reac- 'tion would involve the alcohol hydroxyl radical.

Naturally, if desired, the polybasic acid, such as citric or phthalic anhydride, may be reacted with a selected body. so as to form a fractional ester, and such fractional ester may be employed, instead of the acid, followed by subsequent esterification. Thus, one may employ triricinolein monophthalate, or the di-phthalate, ricinoleic acid monophthalate, ethyl hydroxystearate monophthalate, di-stearin monophthalate, di-naphthenin monophthalate, di-abietin monophthalate,

etc.

If a tricarboxy acid, such as citric acid, is employed, then at least theoretically, three moles of the tertiary methylene diamine might react with one mole of citric acid. Similarly, as has already been pointed out, at least seventeen moles of a polybasic acid might be combined with a highly hydroxylated methylene amine. For practical purposes, however, we have found that the most desirable products are obtained by combinations, in which the ratio of the alcoholic diamine to the polybasic acid is within the ratio of three to one and one to five, and in which the molecular weight of the resultant product does not exceed 10,000, and is usually less than 5,000, or perhaps less than 3,000. This is particularly true if the resultant product is soluble to a fairly definite extent, for instance, at least 5% in some solvent, such as water, alcohol, benzene, dichlorethyl ether, acetone, cresylic acid, or the like. This is simply another way of stating that it is preferable that the product be of the sub-resinous type, which is commonly referred to as an A resin or a B resin, as distinguished from a C resin, which is a highly infusible, insoluble resin (see Ellis,

Conversion ously, the sub-resinous, semi-resinous, or resinous product herein contemplated may be indicated by the following formula:

v in which the characters have their previous significance, and 11' represents a small whole number not greater than 3, and x represents a small whole number not greater than 5; Z represents a hydrogen ion equivalent, such as a metallic atom, organic radical, etc.

One must not lose sight of the fact that the product herein contemplated is a basic amine. This means, of course, that the product can combine with acids to form salts; for instance, it may combine with acetic acid,-hydrochloric acid, oxalic acid, phthalic acid, butyric acid, naphthenic acid, etc. To state the matter another way, the herein contemplated amine, if desired, may be dissolved in a dilute acid, such as 5% f actic acid, sulfuric acid, 5% nitric acid, or the like. The amine may be used as such, or as an aqueous solution, which in essence, represents the corresponding diammonium base. In other words, all references herein to the final product, and particularly in the appended claims, contemplate not only the amine itself, but the corresponding salts or double salts, the corresponding base or double base, the corresponding salt base mixture, or similar variations, which maybe indicated from this viewpoint solely by the following monomeric type formulas:

All that has been said previously can be recast in naphthenic acid, hydroxy abietic acid, or the like; or it may represent R"C'OO, an oxy-acyl radical derived from a monobasic carboxy acid having 7 carbon atoms or less, such as heptoic' acid, acetic acid, etc. Such aldehyde combines with two moles of an acylated amine, or with two moles of an amine, which may be subsequently acylated with a detergent-forming acid to give an intermediate amine, which may be indicated by the followingformula:

H N B q in which all the characters have their previous significance, B being a divalent hydrocarbon radical, which may be interrupted at least once by an oxygen atom, m representing the number 1 or 2, m' representing the number 1, 2 or 3, and 3'' representing a monovalent hydrocarbon radical, which may be interrupted at least once by oxygen. A, A, A" and A' represent the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the proviso that A+A+A"+A" shall equal 4; and there must be present at least one alcoholic hydroxyl radical.

For the sake of simplicity, it is pointed out once more that Z'T collectively may represent a hydrogen atom, instead of a methyl radical, for

instance, and that it is contemplated that in the in which 1/ represents a small whole number not greater than 3 and .1." represents a small whole number not greater than 5, and n, m, and m indicate small whole numbers such as 0, 1, or more, but in any event, probably a number not in excess of 40, and more likely not over 20; q indicates a small whole number probably not over 20, and usually less than 10; Z is a hydrogen ion equivalent; Y is a residue or radical derived from a hydroxylated acylated tertiary diamine of the type:

z'r N [13.000.1214 ][B.O0C.R.(OH).."]4- momil H N [B'I'LW in which all of the characters have their previous significance, to wit, B being a divalent hydrocarbon radical, which may be interrupted at least once by an oxygen atom, and may havea hydroxyl radical as an integral part thereof,

m" representing the number 1 or 2, m representing the number 1, 2 or 3, and B' repre senting a monovalent hydrocarbon radical, which may be interrupted at least once by oxygen; A, A, A and A'" represent the numbers 0, l, 2, 3

or 4, with the proviso that A+A' |-A"+A"' shall equal 4; and there must be present at least one alcoholic hydroxyl radical as a part of the diamine; Z'T collectively may represent a hydrogen atom, instead of a methyl radical, for example; and X is a residue or radical derived from a polybasic carboxy acid.

When aldehydes and secondary amines react, in addition to the tertiary methylene diamine, there may be formed minor by-products, such as polymeric forms and the like. Similarly, it is possible that other by-products or cogeneric compounds are formed in the subsequent reactions previously described. As far as demulsification of crude oils or similar purposes are concerned, it is quite probable that the presence of such cogeneric materials is not objectionable, but may be desirable. Therefore, in order to define completely the metes and bounds of the present invention, it is deemed advisable to characterize the final product not only by means of the formula above described, but also in terms of the steps of manufacture. It is obvious that certain alternate forms of the steps of manufacture may be employed, but they would be the obvious equivalents of the steps indicated. For instance, the polybasic carboxy acid, such as phthalic acid, might be combined with ricinoleic acid, and such material employed for acylation of the tertiary methylene diamine. However, such obvious variation is the equivalent of the steps or procedure herein indicated. One might acylate a secondary alkylol amine, such as diethanolamine, and employ such compound for reaction with the selected aldehyde.

It is believed that the principal product of reaction previously described is obtained through the formation of an intermediate commonly referred to as a pseudo-basic carbinol. nal of the Chemical Society, volume 119, 1921, page 1470, and also volume 123, 1923, page 532. The formation of the intermediate may be indicated thus:

where DH is a molecule having a labile hydrogen atom. Such products are pseudo-carbinols, and in the event that D is connected to the carbon atom by means of a nitrogen atom, for instance, where D was derived from diethanolamine, then the previous formula becomes:

CZHlOH and compounds which carry the linkage are commonly referred to as pseudo-basic carbinols.

One recognized property of the pseudo-basic carbinols is the avidity of the hydroxyl radical for a labile hydrogen atom. Thus, the above intermediate would immediately react with a second molecule of diethanolamine to form the diamine previously described. This is indicated in the following manner:

Such being the probable course of reaction, it

is obvious that considerable insight is disclosed as to the nature of the accompanyingcogeneric materials which are present in the mixture. In other words, one would expect to find material in which the hydrogen atom was removed from other sources, as, for instance, a hydrogen of the hydroxyl of an ethanol radical, etc.

The new process that we have devised for resolving or breaking petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, involves subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifier consisting of the above described new material or composition of matter. Said material is used either alone, or in admixture with another, or with other con ventional demulsifying agents; and its method of use is the same as that generally employed in resolving or breaking petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type with a chemical demulsifier. Briefly stated, the conventional method of using a chemical demulsifier to break a petroleum emulsion consists in introducing the demulsifier into the well in which the emulsion is produced; introducing the demulsifier into a conduit through which the emulsion is flowing; or introducing the demulsifier into a tank in which the emulsion is stored. After treatment the emulsion is allowed to stand in a quiescent state, usually in a settling tank, and usually at a temperature varying from atmospheric temperature to about 200 F., so as to permit the water or brine to separate from the oil, it being preferable to keep the temperature low enough to prevent the volatilization of valuable constituents of the oil.

The amount of demulsifier that may be required to break the emulsion may vary from 1 part of demulsifier to 500 parts of emulsion, up to 1 part of demulsifier to 20,000 or even 30,000 parts of emulsion.

We desire to point out that the superiority of the reagent or demulsifying'agent contemplated in our process is based upon its ability to treat certain emulsions more advantageously and at a somewhat lower cost than is possible with other available demulsifiers, or conventional mixtures thereof. It is believed that the particular demulsifying agent or treating agent herein described will find comparatively limited application, so far as the majority of oil field emulsions are concerned; but we have found that such a demulsifying agent has commercial value, as it will economically break or resolve oil field emulsions in a number of cases which cannot be treated as 'easily or at so low a cost with the demulsifying agents heretofore available.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A process forresolving petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifier, comprising an esterification reaction product of the formula type:

derived from a hydroxylated acylated tertiary methylene diamine of the formula:

in which B is a divalent hydrocarbon radical, in which the carbon atom chain may be interrupted at least once by an oxygen atom and said radical may have a hydroxyl radical as an integral part .thereof; m represents the number 1 or 2, m'

represents the number 1, 2 or 3, and B' represents a monovalent hydrocarbon radical, in which the carbon atom chain may be interrup ted at least once by an oxygen atom; A, A A" and A' represent the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the proviso that A+A'+A+A"' shall equal 4; each of the radicals B and B' is linked to the amino nitrogen through a carbon atom H.000 is an acid radical derived from a monobasic carboxy acid having not more than 32 carbon atoms; and R'COO is a radical derived from a hydroxylated detergent-forming acid having at least 8 carbon atoms and not more than 32 carbon atoms; and in the monovalent radical ZT, T represents a divalent hydrocarbon radical and Z' represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl radical, an acid radical derived from a monobasic carboxy acid havingnot more than 32 carbon atoms, or a radical derived from a in which y represents a small whole number hydroxylated detergent-forming acid having at least 8 carbon atoms and not more than 32 carbon atoms; or Z'T collectively may represent a hydrogen atom; and there must be present at least one alcoholic hydroxyl radical and at least one acid radical derived from a detergent-forniing monocarboxy acid having at least 8 carbon atoms and not more than 32 carbon atoms, as an integral part of the diamine: and X is a radical derived from a polybasic carboxy acid.

2. A process for resolving petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifler, comprising an esteriflcation reaction product of the formula type:

not greater than 3, and 1: represents a small whole number not greater than 5, and n, m,

andm' indicate small whole numbers such as 0, 1,0r more, but not in excessoi 40; q indicates a small whole number not over 20; Z ,is a hydrogen ion equivalent; Y is a residue or radical derived from a non-aryl hydroxylated acylated tertiary methylene diamine of the formula: I

atom; A, A, A" and A'" represent the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the proviso that A+A'+A"+A"' shall equal 4; each of the radicals B andB' is linked to-the amino nitrogen through a carbon atom R.COO is an acid radical derived from a monobasic carboxy acid hav ing not more than 32 carbon atoms; and R'.C0O

. is a radical derived from a hydroxylated detergent-forming acid having at least 8 carbon atoms and not more than 32 carbon atoms; and T represents a member of the class consisting of hydrogen atoms and monovalent hydrocarbon radicals; and there must be present at least one alcoholic hydroxyl radical and at least one acid radical derived from a detergent-forming monocarboxy acid having at least 8 carbon atoms and not more than .32 carbon atoms as an integral part of the diamine; and X is a radical derived from a polybasic carboxy acid.

3; A process for resolving petroleum emulsionsof the kind described in claim 2, characterized by the fact that all acid radicals present are derived from monocarboxy detergent-forming acids having at least.8 carbon atoms and not more than 32 carbon atoms. \7

4. A process for resolving petroleum emulsions of the water-inoil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demuls'ifier, comprising an esterification reaction product of the formula type;

H N [B.(0H)-"'],4"

in-which B is a divalent hydrocarbon radical, in which the carbon atom chain may be interrupted at least once by an oxygen atom'and said radical may have. a hydroxyl radical as an. integral part thereof, m" represents-the number 1 or 2, and m'" represents the number 1, 2 or 3 A, A and A" represent the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the proviso that A+A'+A" shall-equal 4; each of the radicals B is linked to the amino nitrogen through a carbon atom, R. CO0 is -an acid radical derived from a monobasic carboxy I acid having not more than 32 carbon atoms;

present at least one alcoholic hydroxyl -radical and at least one acid radical derived from a detergent-forming monocarboxy acid having at least 8 carbon atoms. and not more than 32 carbon atoms, as an integral part of the diamine; and X is a radical derived from a polybasic carboxy acid. I

5. A process for resolving petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifler, comprising an esterification reaction product of the formula type:

in which 1 represents a small whole number not greater than 3, and 3: represents a small whole number not greater than 5, and n, m, and m indicate small whole numbers such as 0, 1, or more, but not in excess of 40; q indicates a small whole number not over 20; Z is a hydrogen ion equivalent; Y is a residue or radical derived from a non-aryl hydroxylated acylated tertiary methylene diamine of the formula:

in which B is a divalent hydrocarbon radical, in which the carbon atom chain may be interrupted at least once by an oxygen atom and said radical may have a hydroxyl radical as an.integral part thereof; m represents the number 1, 2 or 3; A represents the number 1, 2, 3 or 4, and A represents the numeral 0, 1, 2 or 3, with the proviso that A A" shall equal 4; each of the radicals B is linked to the amino nitrogen through a carbon atom, and R'COO is a ricinoleic acid radical; and T' represents a member of the class consisting of hydrogen atoms and monovalent hydrocarbon radicals; and X is a radical derived from a polybasic carboxy acid.

6. A process for resolving petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifier, comprising an esteriflcation reaction product of the formula type:

in which represents a small whole number not greater than 3, and :19 represents a small whole number not greater than 5, and n, m, and m indicate small whole numbers such as 0, 1, or more, but not in excess of 40; q indicates a small whole number not over 20; Z is a hydrogen ion equivalent; Y is a residue or radical derived from a non-aryl hydroxylated acylated tertiary methylene diamine of the formula:

in which B is a divalent hydrocarbon radical, in which the carbon atom chain may be interrupted at least once by anoxygen atom and said radical may have a hydroxyl radical as an integral part thereof; A represents the number 1, 2, 3 or 4, and A" represents the numeral 0, 1, 2 or 3, with the proviso that A'+A" shall equal 4; each of the radicals B and 02114011 is linked to the amino nitrogen through a carbon atom and RCOOis a ricinoleic acid radical; and T' represents a member of the class consisting of hydrogen atoms and monovalent hydrocarbon radicals; and X is a radical derived from a dibasic carboxy acid.

'7. A process for resolving petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifler, comprising an esteriflcation reaction product of the formula type:

(COOH)...

( ),.(YyXz').

in which 1 represents a small whole number not greater than 3, and 1: represents a small whole number not greater than 5, and n, m, and m indicate small whole numbers such as 0, l, or more, but not in excess of 40; q indicates a small whole number not over 20; Z is a hydrogen ion equivalent; Y is a residue or radical derived from a non-aryl hydroxylated acylated tertiary methylene diamine of the formula:

in which A represents the number 1, 2, 3 or 4, and A" represents'the numeral 0, 1, 2 or 3, with the proviso that A+A" shall equal 4; each of the radicals C2H4OH and C2H4.OOC.R (OH) is linked to the amino nitrogen through a carbon atom andR'COO is a ricinoleic acid radical; and T represents a member of the class consisting of hydrogen atoms and mono-valent hydrocarbon radicals, and X is a radical derived from phthalic anhydride.

8. A process for resolving petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifler obtainable by esteriflcation reaction between: (A) a polybasic carboxy acid; and (B) a hydroxylated diamine derived by reaction between: First, a secondary amine; and Second, an aldehyde, and said amine aldehyde reaction product being subsequently subjected to an acylation reaction involving an acid compound derived from a detergent-forming acid having not less than 8 carbon atoms and not more than 32 carbon atoms.

9. A process for resolving petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil type, characterized by subjecting the emulsion to the action of a demulsifler obtainable by esteriflcation reaction between: (A) a polybasic carboxy acid; and (B) a hydroxylated diamine derived by reaction between: First, a non-aryl secondary amine and Second, an aldehyde, and said amine aldehyde reaction product being subsequently subjected to an acylation reaction involving an acid compound derived from a detergent-forming acid having not less than 8 carbon atoms and not more than 32 carbon atoms.

MELVIN DE GROOTE. BERNHARD KEISER. ARTHUR F. WIR'I'EL. 

